55.9. What must be done in advance before using a jack?
UAЩо необхідно зробити заздалегідь перед використанням домкрата?
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This exam question from the Traffic Rules of Ukraine concerns safety during an emergency stop and when performing work near the vehicle, when the risk of unintentional movement is especially high. A jack lifts the car but does not "secure" it in place, so any incline, push, or shift in the center of gravity can cause it to roll and fall off the support. That is why the traffic rules emphasize that the driver must prevent uncontrolled movement of the vehicle in advance.
This question checks knowledge of sections related to the driver's duties and safety measures during stopping and parking: point 2.3 (preventing unintentional movement of the vehicle) and point 15.12 (additional actions on ascents/descents, in particular the use of wheel chocks). The theoretical exam often features practical situations: before lifting the car, you need to ensure that the wheels remaining on the ground are securely blocked with wheel chocks, especially if the surface is not perfectly level.
The analysis of the answer options in this exam question shows the difference between "having the tool" and actual safety: checking if you have a jack or inspecting a hydraulic jack is useful, but it does not eliminate the main risk of the car rolling during lifting. Combining such answers also does not guarantee the car is secured. In contrast, installing wheel chocks directly fulfills the requirement of the Traffic Rules of Ukraine to prevent unintentional movement and maintains the stability of the jack, which is critically important for the safety of the driver and passengers.
Clause 2.3 (driver's duties to prevent unauthorized movement of the vehicle)
To ensure road safety, the driver is obliged to take measures so that the vehicle left by the driver cannot start moving on its own.
This clause directly establishes the general duty of the driver to prevent the unauthorized movement of the car during any actions when there is a risk of it rolling (in particular, when lifting with a jack).
Clause 15.12 (Section 15 "Stopping and Parking" — additional measures on descents and ascents)
On descents and ascents, vehicles should be parked at an angle to the edge of the carriageway, and the wheels should be turned so that in case of unauthorized movement, they cannot enter the carriageway. On a descent, the steering wheels should be turned towards the curb or roadside, and if they are absent — towards the edge of the carriageway. On an ascent, the steering wheels should be turned away from the edge of the carriageway. If necessary, wheel chocks should be placed under the wheels.
This clause directly provides for the use of wheel chocks as a way to prevent the vehicle from rolling (which is critical before lifting the car with a jack).
Thus, the correct answer is "Install wheel chocks," considering that by the definition of the Traffic Rules, the driver is obliged to take measures to prevent unauthorized movement of the left vehicle, and on slopes (and if necessary), the use of wheel chocks is directly provided for.
Before lifting the car with a jack, it is important to remember that the jack only raises the body, but does not prevent the vehicle from moving forward or backward. At the moment when the wheel is partially or fully unloaded, the car can move even from a slight slope, push, or shift in the center of gravity.
From a safety standpoint, the vehicle must be securely fixed before performing any work. If the car is not parked perfectly level, or there is a risk that it might roll, the jack support can lose stability, and the vehicle may slip off the lift. This poses a direct danger to people and can lead to damage to the car.
That is why, before using the jack, wheel chocks are installed in advance under the wheels that remain on the ground and could roll. For example, when changing a wheel on the roadside or on a section with a barely noticeable slope, the chocks block the movement of the car and prevent it from shifting when you begin lifting.
Therefore, the correct answer is "Install wheel chocks," as this ensures the vehicle is secured against unintentional movement and maintains the stability of the jack during lifting.